Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Sorry I haven't been posting much lately. Lots of stuff going on...in addition to the World Cup's games at 4:30 am, my usual baking time. I apologize for missing several Tuesdays with Dorie weeks, and hope to get back into the swing of things soon. And special thanks to a few readers who sent me emails asking if I was okay! That was so thoughtful!

Remember Team Dave and the Los Angeles Marathon? I brought this lovely dessert to the post-marathon party. It's a great summer cake for a casual dinner party or way to highlight beautiful strawberries!

I've make this in a 6" triple layer before and it is quite lovely, but does NOT travel well at all. So this time I decided to make two 8" layers and assemble it at the party. Nothing like pulling out a whisk at the party...makes you look like a baker! :)

Fresh Strawberry Filling (See the book for this recipe that includes rosewater...I just macerated some strawberries with sugar)

Whole strawberries, for garnish

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. I made mine with two 8" cake pans. The original recipes calls for three 6" pans.2. Cream butter, 3/4 cup sugar and vanilla in the bowl of an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, scraping down the sides of the bowl after each addition.3. Sift together cake flour, baking powder, and salt.4. Add dry ingredients to the batter, alternating with the buttermilk in 3 additions. Divide among the prepared pans.5. I don't remember how long I baked my 8" pans. The 6" pans bake for 20-25 minutes. I pulled them out when a toothpick came out clean. I let them cool for 10 minutes and then cooled them on a cake rack.

Assembly:1. In a large chilled bowl, whip the cream with the remaining 2 tbsp of sugar until stiff.2. Assemble the cake with cake, strawberries, whipped cream and repeat. Finish with your best strawberries on top. Enjoy!Again, the book has a recipe for fresh strawberry filing that includes rose water.

Beautiful and so super seasonal. We are World Cup watchers over here too and I am hoarse from cheering for the USA and South Korea :). Off to go to the movies with my shorties...wish me luck..their first movie!

i just don't know how you make each dessert look so perfect. This shortcake is so beautiful i wouldn't even want to eat it! I can barely frost a cupcake beautifully but you make desserts seem so easy :)